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Shiurim on Chumash and Navi by Menachem Leibtag
In Memory of Rabbi Avraham Leibtag (1 Shvat, 5682 - 5 Adar, 5756)

for Parshat ACHAREI MOT & SHABBAT HA'GADOL & PESACH

The Second Half of Sefer Vayikra

Is Torah Kohanim [Laws for Priests] an accurate name for Sefer Vayikra? If so, why is Parshat Kedoshim included? After all, the vast majority of its numerous laws have absolutely nothing to do with either "korbanot" or "kohanim!" To answer this question, this week's shiur explains how and why Sefer Vayikra divides into two distinct halves. Online:
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The Internal Structure of the Laws of Tumah and Tahara

Why do Parshiot Tazria/Metzora interrupt the logical flow from Parshat Shmini to Parshat Acharei Mot? In case this sounds a bit complicated, don't worry, we'll begin this week's shiur by first explaining this question. Then we'll use its answer to help us arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of this section of Sefer Vayikra. Online:
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The Torah Reading for Yom Kippur Mincha

It is interesting to note that on Yom Kippur shacharit we read Vayikra chapter 16, while at mincha we read Vayikra chapter 18. Now the reason why we read chapter 16 is simple, for it details the special AVODAH of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur in the Bet ha'Mikdash. However, why do read specifically chapter 18 for mincha? After the prohibition of "arayot" (the primary topic) contains no obvious connection to Yom Kippur? As we will show, chapter 16 constitutes the climax of the first half of Sefer Vayikra for on Yom Kippur, as the "kohen gadol" enters the "kodesh ha'kdoshim" on the "shabbat shabbaton", Am Yisrael ascends to the highest level in all realms of "kedusha". Offline/Download:
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Pesach and Chag Ha'Matzot (Parshat Ha'Chodesh)

Why do we eat matzah? Is it simply to remember how God saved us during the events of Yetziat Mitzrayim? As Parshat Bo presents the mitzvah of matzah from several different angles, this week's shiur analyzes this 'multiple presentation' in an attempt to better understand what matzah and Pesach are all about. Online:
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The Dual Nature of the Chagim

Parshat Emor is famous for its lengthy presentation of the "chagim" (the Jewish holidays). These same holidays are also described in the other books of Chumash: in Sefer Shmot: Parshat Mishpatim and Ki-tisa; in Sefer Bamidbar: Parshat Pinchas; and in Sefer Dvarim: Parshat Re'ay. It would seem logical for ALL the laws concerning the chagim to be presented together in one parsha. However, Chumash prefers to separate them, allowing each Sefer to focus on a different thematic aspect of the "chagim." This shiur contains two parts. Part One provides a general overview of the Chagim in Chumash. Part Two examines the double nature of the presentation of the chagim in Parshat Emor. Online:
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Dayyenu

How can a Jew say, let alone sing, that "it would have been enough" even had we not received the Torah or Eretz Yisrael? Yet, every year at the Pesach seder this is the perplexing message we seemingly proclaim as we sing "Dayyenu!" Online:
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P> The Four Sons - K'neged Arba'ah Banim

Everyone is familiar with the Midrash of "The Four Sons" in the Hagaddah, yet because we are less familiar with the parshiot in chumash quoted by that Midrash, its deeper message is often overlooked. The following shiur is a classic example of the necessity of learning "pshat" to appreciate "drash." Online:
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Korban Pesach and Korban Todah

Why is the korban Pesach different than all the other korbanot in Chumash? Why must it be eaten with matza and marror, with a pre-designated group and only on the evening of the 15^th? The list goes on and on. Despite its uniqueness, though, in certain ways it is most similar to the korban Todah. In the following shiur, we discuss these similarities in order to better understand the laws of Pesach. Online:
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Other Areas of Interest

Visit the TSC Archives for more shiurim on Chumash, Neviim and Jewish Holidays
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Visit the memorial section for Rabbi Avraham Leibtag
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Menachem Leibtag

for ACHAREI MOT

for PESACH & CHAG HA'MATZOT

TOPICS re: PASSOVER